Here are ways that you can help advance research – from the comfort of your home. Take part in these online, telephone, or postal studies (or find in-person study locations).

Online IBS Survey

The purpose of this online survey is to help patients and physicians form an effective therapeutic relationship.

IFFGD, together with the University of Michigan and the Drossman Center for Education and Practice of Biopsychosocial Care, is seeking people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) to participate in the research study.

Your participation in this survey will help in training physicians to provide better care for all patients.

This study is currently closed.

As thanks for your participation, all who complete the study will be entered into a raffle to win one of thirty $100 Visa gift cards.

November 2016

A research study of IBS patients and their partners.

IBS patients know that their intimate relationships can have an effect on how they are feeling. However, it is not known whether agreement or disagreement regarding issues such as cause of IBS, beliefs about illness, harmony in relationship may have an effect on IBS symptoms. This is an important question that may affect the way IBS is treated.

Our study requires patients to complete 5 brief questionnaires and partners to complete 3 brief questionnaires. Patients and partners will be contacted separately and results will be strictly confidential with no way of identifying subjects.

If patient and partner are willing to participate, please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and links to a secure survey site will be sent individually to both patient and partner, with instructions. From that point on, no identifying information will be stored.

*If you wish to participate, please have patient and partner reply separately and indicate BOTH the name of the name of the patient and the name of the partner (and please clarify who is the patient and who is the partner).

Drs. Charles and Mary-Joan Gerson, The Mind-Body Digestive Center

Added August 2014

Understanding Episodes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Online Study

Have you been diagnosed with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)? If so, you are eligible to help out with a one time online survey that may take up to 20 minutes to complete.

Douglas A. Drossman, M.D. and Stephan Weinland, Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina (UNC) Center for Functional GI & Motility Disorders in Chapel Hill have constructed an online survey in order to compile written reports of IBS episodes and gain a better understanding of the symptoms and experiences people have during an IBS episode. The survey is completely confidential and you will not be asked any identifying information.

Find a listing of places where you can take part in studies involving many different digestive disorders Go »

IFFGD's IBS Unmet Needs Survey

IFFGD wants to understand how IBS affects your daily routine, the ways your life is affected by IBS, and where the needs are for treatments – but we need your help. If you have IBS, participate in this confidential online survey, and help advance our mission to improve lives.